Hospital experienced pharmacist wanting to locum

[swf10uju]

Hi there,

I am an overseas pharmacist, I worked 1 year in hospital and last April I started a PhD, leaving the hospital work. I now would like to to do some community locum to make a bit of extra-money and to keep the clinical knowledge updated.
As I am a conscious person I would not risk to just "give it a try" and I would rather get some training. How do you think i should proceed? I was thinking to ask some locum agency to work half paid, but under the guide of an other pharmacist or maybe even for free until I feel confident enough. I do not know if they would do that.
An other option could be to contact a private pharmacy (no chain) and find an agreement with them: at the end of the day I am registered and I have quite good clinical knowledge, I just need some training in the community. So we could arrange something like few weeks half paid, just as support in busy hours and for training and then normal pay.
What is your idea?

[johnep]

'I am an overseas pharmacist,'. But are you registered in the UK or EU? If not will have to undertake the OSPAP course first.
There was an article last year in the PJ re locum work for hospital pharmacists.
johnep

[culchie82]

Are you really sure you want to step into the Lion's Den, for the sake of some extra cash. As John has alluded to, it sometimes ends up in tears for Hospital Pharmacists, literally!

[swf10uju]

'I am an overseas pharmacist,'. But are you registered in the UK or EU? If not will have to undertake the OSPAP course first.
There was an article last year in the PJ re locum work for hospital pharmacists.
johnep

I am registered since June 2009 with the RPSGB and I have worked in UK, just in hospital.

Are you really sure you want to step into the Lion's Den, for the sake of some extra cash. As John has alluded to, it sometimes ends up in tears for Hospital Pharmacists, literally!

As I do not want to end up in tears, I am here asking you how to proceed in order to step in gradually and with the appropriate training.

[culchie82]

Well you answered your own question in your original post. Contact a Pharmacy (either Independent or Multiple) and ask if you can get some work experience. Locum Agencies won't want to know, regarding shadowing another Pharmacist for half pay or no pay for that matter.

[swf10uju]

Well you answered your own question in your original post. Contact a Pharmacy (either Independent or Multiple) and ask if you can get some work experience. Locum Agencies won't want to know, regarding shadowing another Pharmacist for half pay or no pay for that matter.

Thank you, I will try this way. I think it is not only for the extra cash, but it is good for my personal development to learn to work as retail pharmacist.

[johnep]

Look here:

LocumVoice • View forum - How to be a Locum Pharmacist

Johnep

[crit care]

just go in and bite the bullet....seek out a quiet pharmacy and go from there...don't undersell yourself asking for no pay or half pay!

[gigeordie]

The RPS should be able to help as they provide refresher courses for those who have been out of community for a period of time eg career break, maternity/child care. They definately used to do this anyway.

I believe they mainly cover the legalities of dispensing, CD regulations etc. Failing that surely the GPhC can help with training......?

One of the multiples may be your best bet for work shadowing as upon commencement of employment they tend to place you in a branch with an experienced Pharmacist for a couple of weeks, although this is mainly to guide you through company procedures

[swf10uju]

Well you answered your own question in your original post. Contact a Pharmacy (either Independent or Multiple) and ask if you can get some work experience. Locum Agencies won't want to know, regarding shadowing another Pharmacist for half pay or no pay for that matter.

Thank you!!

Look here:

LocumVoice • View forum - How to be a Locum Pharmacist

Johnep

Very helpfull link. I signed myself in. Very good to get my head around what being a locum is about.

just go in and bite the bullet....seek out a quiet pharmacy and go from there...don't undersell yourself asking for no pay or half pay!

I cannot do that. I know from experience that doing things which for you do not feel confident about, it leads to hate that thing. Better starting in the proper way. I do not want to fear everytime I go locuming.

The RPS should be able to help as they provide refresher courses for those who have been out of community for a period of time eg career break, maternity/child care. They definately used to do this anyway.

I believe they mainly cover the legalities of dispensing, CD regulations etc. Failing that surely the GPhC can help with training......?

One of the multiples may be your best bet for work shadowing as upon commencement of employment they tend to place you in a branch with an experienced Pharmacist for a couple of weeks, although this is mainly to guide you through company procedures

Thank you. Iwill try to email a multiple and see if they get back to me.